[November 25, 2020]

Annyonghaseyo! Hello!

[This is a new type of article for me to write so let me explain and bear with me if you will. I generally don’t review music much these days and I haven’t written a book review in many years either. I’ve been hard at work this year on my own writing again, but I wanted to take time out from that since it feels like we have nothing but time these days.]

This year has been a difficult one for everyone around the world so I won’t get into what made it especially difficult for me in particular. Let’s just say, I was with you all when we were all at our lowest points. When we were hoping for something better, something alive, something peaceful, and anyone to hug/touch/hold us in our grief.

I found a place of peace where I least expected to find it. My daughter and I, like most, had been stuck together for a while, months [March 13, 2020-Present.] My mind was spinning and I was falling into the hole of depression like a lot of us were. She introduced me to a band from South Korea. [What is generally referred to here in the States as K-Pop.] Not just any South Korean boy band—the most famous one, I think—in all of history so far. BTS-Bangtan Sonyeondan-방탄소년단 [Bangtan Sonyeondan is Bulletproof Boy Scouts in Korean and BTS for short.] And they began to soothe me with their melodies. When I found out what the messages in the songs were, I was happy. The positive messages they send resonate with people of all ages, all backgrounds, all over the world. I didn’t know my kid knew such people existed [proud mom moment, no doubt!] I think in our time of need, we find the people we need to help us through our hard times.

There is a whole rabbit hole of information on BTS, so take your time, invest in getting to know the men and the messages. It’s worth your time. Trust in that. People may think it’s silly, this whole boy band phenom, but really, if they don’t even know you and they care about you from a world away? How is that a bad thing? [That was completely rhetorical because love is universal and unconditional.]

This is my first comeback. I came into the fandom around the time they released the animated video for “Bulletproof: The Eternal.” I fell in love with that video. It tells the story of BTS and at the end, with ARMYs. [Adorable Representative M.C.s for Youth.] It made me cry. I thought it was a powerful story, told in a powerful way. The steady slide down the rabbit hole began around this time because I wanted to know who these men were and why this fandom was so important to them. I wanted to know what this strange loyalty was about. [Smiles.] Now I know and I understand. So, from there, I think I accidentally learned a little bit of Japanese! [Laughing.] It wasn’t long after that when “Stay Gold” was released. Then “Your Eyes Tell” followed by “Dynamite.”

“Dynamite” went on to make a lot of history, charted #1 & #2 multiple times, and win a lot of awards. November 24, 2020, we were all notified about the Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Dynamite.” Just to get that nomination in the American music industry is exciting for them and for us. Since 2013, these men have worked to succeed and one step at a time, they are. Being new to the fandom, I will say, I am proud of them and all the hard work has definitely paid off. To even get that nomination is another step toward that goal.

The album BE released on November 20, 2020. Of course, I bought it for my daughter. She listened to the CD when it came in the mail and I listened to it on Spotify. My first reaction to the whole thing was almost like my first reaction to the “Life Goes On” MV. I didn’t know whether to cry or not. I definitely felt like someone (me) needed a hug. BUT, after listening to the MV again, I just felt the emotion. I let the entire thing wash over me, all those tears we had for all that time. The part that caused the crying was when Jin closed his eyes and the scene changed to black and white. (I remember the MOTS ON:E concert and all the ARMY BOMBS in the seats.) It felt like a memory to me and it was so sad.

Now, when I hear “Life Goes On” I still feel all of their emotions. It’s beautiful and one of the most heart-felt songs I think I’ve ever heard. I’m also proud of our director Jeon Jungkook! He did an awesome job!

“Fly to My Room” is like the hug that brings you out of your sadness. It’s more upbeat and you want to move when hearing that song. It makes me smile.

“Blue and Grey” is another sad/melancholy number written by our Kim Taehyung. Someone who, if you have delved into the rabbit hole far enough, you know is a sensitive thoughtful man. It is also a beautiful song and the first listen: I cried like a baby. It’s already one of my favorite songs because it has so much emotion in just a few verses wrapped around the melody of a lullaby.

The fourth track is a Skit. It’s these guys talking about Billboard charts and what they thought of it when they found out they hit #1 with Dynamite on Jungkook’s birthday. A transcript can be found on Genius Lyrics for anyone who is wondering what they’re saying. I laughed when I read it. Everyone is also wondering what expletives were bleeped when Suga is asked what he thought of it. I’m sure we can all guess what he said. [Laughs.]

“Telepathy” is the next track. This one, written by Suga, is fun and a lot more light-hearted than the songs at the beginning of the album and I like it a lot. It’s also catchy and you can dance to it. It helps break us out of the sadness and get us moving forward. Which, really, we need that as much as we need to heal from all the broken, stressful things we’ve faced this year. Life goes on, right? A lot of us are still here, we still have to live this life. And they are still here with us. [We’re still with you, too!]

The song “Dis-ease” was written by j-hope. One known by most of the fandom as the sunshine. This one is an upbeat tune from the beginning until the last note. My favorite line is “Throw away the fear.” I feel like his emotion here is that even while we deal with this, can we deal with our own minds, our own emotions? We CAN go on. We must go on. We must find our fire again.

“Stay” is the seventh song on the album. I felt in this last song that BTS is asking the ARMYs to stay with them as they live on. As someone new to the fandom, seeing this place and these people for only a short time, I can say they are loving, loyal, and intelligent people. No worries. They aren’t going anywhere any time soon. Although, a sweet upbeat song asking for their patience is a great way to go about ending an album filled with so many personal stories and emotions.

“Dynamite” is a wonderful song to round things out. This song is an upbeat tune that literally brings joy to my soul! When I hear it, I cannot sit still. From day one, “Dynamite” came along and brightened up every dark corner of the world.

Overall, I love this album. BE feels like a personal connection across seas and thousands of miles. I want to take a moment to talk about the album package itself. The images we received were phenomenal. The visual art direction was on-point thanks to Kim Taehyung. The package as a whole is well-thought-out and I really liked how it all came together.

From the perspective of a writer [Horror writer here. For ten years now, it’s “No More Dream” for me], I can say, I felt/feel like I always do when I come across good art in the many forms it can take. Anything meant to express emotion or evoke them—whether it’s writing, music, painting, etc.—is pure and deserves our attention. This album definitely does all those things, hence why I love it.

If you’re wondering where you can listen to BE, visit BangtanTV on YouTube or Big Hit Labels on YouTube. Spotify also has BE to add to your playlists. Or, if you wish to purchase it, please visit Weverse Shop, Amazon, or other legitimate retailers. All discography of BTS can be found on both Weverse Shop and Amazon or the Big Hit Entertainment website.

KUDOS to BTS and ARMYs. To the people who are helping me find my peace: I appreciate and love you more than you know. Since I’m not a journalist and am not pretending to be, I will end this with saying that I do hope you enjoyed this honest, candid review from a woman who needed you in her darkest times this year. Love you all! Borahae!

Gamsahabnida. Thank you.

[Bows]

Jennifer Oneal Gunn-Writer, Poet, and Mom